Date Ideas

A gem of a place for a show-stopping Sydney date that is bound to impress, China Doll has a lot to shout about. Situated in the stylish Woolloomooloo district, this fabulous Asian restaurant overlooks the city skyline and makes for idyllic summer dates in the sunshine. Sip cocktails on the terrace or dine in the atmospheric restaurant, sampling the finest of modern Asian cuisine from the extensive menu. Service is impeccable to guarantee a special evening, and the lively atmosphere is bound to set the mood for a night of getting to know one another. The only problem might be living up to the high standards when you inevitably go on further dates; such fine dining comes at a price!

Good place to meet for a first date:

7/10

You might foot yourself quite a bill before you’ve even gained a number if trying to pick up a date in this restaurant. Having said this, China Doll is a popular spot for group dining and cocktail parties, where you might easily meet someone new, catching one another’s eye as you try to delicately lower noodles into your mouth. In the summer, the outdoor seating area has a lively buzz that attracts plenty of people for after dinner drinks and al fresco dining, giving it a warm and inviting ambience that might help to melt the ice for first dates in Sydney.

China Doll

Average age:

Put it this way, if you’ve got the bank balance to match the menu prices, then it doesn’t really matter what age you are to enjoy dining in this beautiful restaurant! China Doll attracts a wide range of winers and diners looking to treat themselves to a night that they won’t forget. You probably want to grab your glad rags look the part for a date at China Doll though, dress code tends to be smart and even glamorous in this elegant skyline eatery.

Time of review:

You’ll find China Doll packed on a weekend, especially during the summer, but that shouldn’t put you off. The food is flying out of the kitchen here for a reason; it’s divine. On an evening it makes the perfect setting for an intimate Sydney date, or perhaps you’d prefer more a more casual lunch al fresco, where if all else fails you can spark up some conversation over people watching!

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

You’d better wait til pay day to take your date to China Doll, as at around $100 a head to go all out on this extravagant meal you aren’t going to escape the price tag. However this healthy bill guarantees five star treatment from the attentive staff, freshly cooked Asian delights from scallops to steak, and glamorous cocktails that will really make the evening sparkle.

Type of cuisine:

China Doll prides itself on its freshly fused flavours that represent the very best in Asian cuisine, drawing from China, Japan, South East Asia and beyond. Oh yes, this isn’t just your average egg fried rice, expect exquisite delicacies and powerful flavours that will make your taste buds tingle and turn the heat up for your hot date.

Final word:

If you know that they might be the real deal, a date at China Doll is a sure-fire way to make their eyes light up and ensure an intimate setting for a romantic evening. Expensive but worth every penny, it’s no wonder that China Doll is one of Sydney’s most talked-about restaurants.

You might easily walk past Mini Bar if you didn’t know it was there; nestled in the basements of cosmopolitan Bath Street, it’s one of Glasgow’s worst kept secrets. An inviting bar and restaurant, Mini Bar strikes the perfect balance between a touch of sparkle and a more casual, friendly atmosphere that makes it suitable for all kinds of dates. Whether catching a pre-theatre meal before moving on to a show, or warming up for a night exploring Glasgow’s nightlife, the irresistible cocktail menu and big, tasty meals make it a favourite amongst locals. Your only issue might be getting a table in this cosy wee place! Oh, and don’t miss out on one of their infamous jammy dodger shots…

Good place to meet for a first date:

10/10

Mini Bar comes to life at the weekend with live entertainment that makes it a fab place to meet someone or bring a first date. It’s impossible to get to know someone in a club, whilst walking up to someone in bar can be a little daunting… Mini Bar has a chilled out vibe for Glasgow dates, with a great atmosphere where mingling is the norm and everyone comes together to let their hair down. It’s a hotspot for post-work drinks, with boutique beers and bar snacks drawing people in to unwind with friends and meet new people. Its location on buzzing Bath Street also makes it the perfect starting point for a night on the town. Where better to bump into a potential date?

Mini Bar

Average age:

Its diverse offerings as a venue, restaurant and bar ensure an eclectic mix of ages and backgrounds to the Mini Bar, giving it a welcoming ambience of ‘anything goes’. At any one time you might find co-workers enjoying a pint, a gaggle of girls sharing cocktails, or a lucky-in-love-couple tucked away in the corner feasting on a romantic meal. Customers tend to be aged 18-50 as a general rule.

Time of review:

Whilst Friday and Saturday nights are the pinnacle of the week’s excitement at Mini Bar as its doors are graced by some fantastic talent, events are held throughout the week. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Mini Bar welcomes winers and diners for any occasion.

Average cost of a meal and a drink:

Mini Bar offers exceptional value if you don’t want to break the bank to have a brilliant evening on your first date in Glasgow. Mains range between £8-12, with cocktails starting at about £6. Have a look at their website for pre-theatre promotions and special offers.

Type of cuisine:

The Mini Bar menu plucks a selection of international favourites from the air to create a collection of intriguing pizzas such as the Evil Scotsman, some delicious (and big!) burgers, and a few classics such as pulled pork and Thai green curry. As such, there really is something for everyone here, and at such good value you won’t feel the pinch on the purse if you and your date go for a 3 course extravaganza!

Final word:

A fantastic location for a first date or that ever-anticipated second meeting, Mini Bar has a versatile ambience for both the hopeless romantics and the casual romeos. Offering great value without compromising on great food, drinks, service and atmosphere, it really a great spot for Glasgow dating.

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What’s on in the world this month that can provide you with a spectacularly original, traditional or romantic date night?

Original

Head to your favorite watering hole and have the barman create a cocktail specifically for the two of you.

Book into a culinary taster class and learn how to cook your special meal together, then chow down on the fantastic results.

Don your waterproofs and head to a muddy quad bike circuit to spend some quality time in direct competition with each other. Once done, brush yourself off and head to the pub!

Traditional Ideas

Take your date to that special hole-in-the-wall restaurant you reserve for these occasions and splash out on a fancy bottle of wine to share.

Dinner and a movie is about as traditional as it gets – why not mix it up and do the movie first, then dinner, thus ensuring any awkward silences can be filled in with discussion about the movie!

Head to a fairground or a big wheel and indulge in candy floss, winning teddy bears and jumping into each others arms in the haunted house.

Romantic

Try a boat trip down the river – add in fairy lights, a three-course meal and a serenade by violinists and you’re in danger of your date falling completely head-over-heels for you right then and there.

Turn your living room into a zen space clear of clutter and transform into a forest, snowslope or fairyland complete with picnic blanket and homemade repast.

Create a treasure hunt around your favorite city for your date and document the whole thing on camera as a memento of your time together.

Usually, the first blog post of the month here at Free and Single gives you some really specific, country focused date ideas. Not this month. Nope, this January 2014, I’m putting forwards three great, all purpose date plans you can do anywhere, one for each country Free and Single is based in.

United Kingdom

The constant gales and blustery torrential rain can’t get you down if you purposefully set out to beat it! Wrap up warm and swathe yourself in waterproofs – now is the time to dig out your wellies and sou’ wester!

Once you and your date are fully water repellent, head into the great outdoors for a whirlwind adventure through some of the beautiful countryside – try a nature trail, an English Heritage tour or a garden exploration.

Don’t forget, once you’re done outside, you have most definitely earned a long, lavish teatime treat in a local cafe or pub to warm you up and discuss all your madcap new anecdotes!

United States of America

Beat the wintry chill with a cosy indoor picnic! Make sure the room you choose is clean and tidy, then stun your date with a thoughtfully prepared picnic feast and drinks, all laid out on your freshly washed picnic rug.

Lay out on the floor once you’re down eating, pop a rustic sounds track or some folk music on your phone and look up at the wide expanse of, eh, sky? Ceiling?

Use your imagination and have a great time chatting. Often sharing a meal outside the confines of a table and chairs can really help you to relax and be yourself – which is just what you need on a date!

Australia

The heat is high in Oz right now and I reckon nothing could be better for a hot date than, well, air con.

Whizz your date over to a public ice rink, pull on some super thick socks and spend an hour or two holding hands and practising your backwards skate moves.

After you’re done skating, sit-in at a cosy diner and chow down on burgers and milkshakes. Bonus points if there’s a jukebox you can sing along to, 50s style!